Hi everyone, I am hoping to get back to more regular newsletters. What I will try to do is shorter but more frequent ones, though this happens to be a bit long! I have done it in a rush, so apologies for any mistakes – let me know if you spot one.

Events

Sat 2nd May: Hoping to have an NTUC stall in town to give out the leaflet A Vision For Northampton (‘Vision Final‘) This will be at 11am just by Burger King on the market square. If you can help let me or Ron know. Leaflet folds into 6 little pages. Please print it out for distribution or display or send round the pdf. We have had some very favourable responses and will be doing a longer pamphlet for the autumn covering more areas.

Friday 8th May, Cuba Solidarity Campaign event at the NN Cafe opposite the museum in the town centre. With exciting recent developments in Cuba, CSC Northampton is pleased to invite you to a special fun evening celebrating Cuban culture with music, dancing, cocktails and snacks. Tickets are limited so please advise your requirements as soon as possible. For tickets and more information please contact cubasolidarity.northampton@gmail.com. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to funding activities to raise awareness and there will be a separate raffle raising money for the Music for Cuba fund.

16th May: Northants Red Rope trip to Levellers’ Day, 16th May 2015, Burford. Levellers Day, marking the execution of 3 Leveller leaders in Burford during the Civil War, is on 16th May from 10.30. It includes a speakers’ event and a short parade through the village – guaranteed to annoy the Tories in this, Cameron’s constituency. We finish the day with a circular Red Rope walk along the Windrush river, past the remains of an abandoned medieval village and on through attractive Cotswolds countryside (moderate 4-5 miles). The 2015 theme for the day is Education. The speakers are: Melissa Benn – Journalist and writer, Kevin Courtney – Asst Gen Sec, National Union of Teachers, Danny Dorling – Radical social geographer and Professor of Geography at Oxford University, author of a recent book on the UK housing crisis.

13th June: Defend Council Housing, 11-4.30pm at Bloomsbury Baptist Church Hall in central London.Tenants and housing campaigners are meeting to spell out how we will win our demands after the election. Sessions on What Next for March for Homes, the Tenants Manifesto, Anti Benefit Cuts campaigns, trade unions and housing, private renters and rent control, and the Fight for Council Housing – against demolition, sell off and privatisation. Get your tenant group, trade union or community organisation to come along. For more details and leaflets contact info@defendcouncilhousing.org.uk.

20th June: People’s Assembly National Demonstration and Festival against Austerity in London. More details to come. Assembling at the Bank of England. They are asking for affiliations to the PA and donations to run the march and festival. They have a motion which can be used at branch meetings. Flyers can be printed out too. For more details: http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/affiliate

Unite: Second wave of strikes over Bromley council’s mass privatisation – Bromley council’s plans to carry out a mass privatisation of services are being challenged by members of Unite with a second wave of strikes. The selected strikes from 27 April to 19 May dovetail with the stand of the council’s Labour group which has accused the Conservative-dominated authority of being ‘openly committed to being a ‘commissioning council’ and to reducing the number of council employees from 4,000 to 300’. Unite’s selected strike action will hit libraries (27 April-30 April); the parks (5 May); strikes by all the branch members, except school staff, on 1, 7 and 19 May; and at the Astley care centre and the passenger services (13-19 May).

Unison: UNISON members who still work for Barnet Council (excluding schools staff) will be taking strike action on Thursday 30 April & Friday 1 May – The dispute will involves coach escorts, drivers, social workers, occupational therapists, lschools catering staff, education welfare officers, library workers, children centre workers, street cleaning & refuse workers, all of whom have made it clear they want to remain employees of the Commissioning Council.

Events

10th May (Sat). Please join the Independent Socialists in Wellingborough on the International Waendel Walk. Meet 10.00am outside The Castle Theatre, Wellingborough. If you have one, please bring along a small red flag that can fit in your ruck sack! Also wear your Wellingborough Diggers T-shirt (if you have one). There are two walks that we will be

taking: one 10km and the other 15km. There are great views along and across the Nene valley and regular refreshments breaks (at least one in Great Doddington Working Mens Club, who do great beers and sandwiches/food!!).

16th May (Friday)International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, The Courtyard, The Guildhall, Northampton. There will be a minute of noise, and we would like to encourage you to bring along instruments to join in with this. The ceremony will be followed by refreshments in the Court Room.Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony – we would like to invite Councillors, community members and community organisations to help Northampton Borough Council recognise the day.

31st May Reclaim Our NHS Stalls: 11am Cobblers’ Last statue Abington St, 2pm second floor of the Grosvenor Centre with Community Courtyard.

6th/7th (Friday/Sat)June Women Chainmakers Festival, Cradley Heath, Sandwell. Saturday will be a great day out for the family. Speakers, theatre, music and planty for the kids to do. For details: 7304_1 Chainmakers_2014_leaflet_final2.

21st June People’s Assembly National Demonstration and free festival. Assemble 1pm, BBC HQ, Portland Place (Tube: Oxford Circus) March to Parliament. Coaches are being organised from across the country – get in touch with your local People’s Assembly group for transport details: http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/local-groups

1. Pregnancy. The TUC is undertaking some work on the experiences of women who are discriminated against during pregnancy or while on maternity leave. We are keen to hear from women who have experienced pregnancy discrimination themselves but we are also keen to hear from union officers, reps, and helpline staff who handle these cases and who may be able to give some insight into the types of cases they deal with, whether the cases are resolved or whether they go to tribunal, whether there has been an increase in these types of cases etc. We would also be interested to hear about any sectors or industries where pregnancy discrimination appears to be a particular problem.

The present European Commission have put a moratorium on any new regulations on a range of workers rights and are actively considering reducing rights in some areas. It is clear that a considerable number of MEPs support the Commissions deregulatory agenda. Given that we are shortly to have elections to the European Parliament, you may want to consider gauging the views of candidates in your area to seek to try to commit

them to voting to keep or expand existing rights on health and safety, working time and agency workers. The TUC has drafted a European elections survey that you might want to consider issuing to all candidates. It can be adapted to meet any local concerns. Given that most European constituencies cover the area of a number of Trades Councils, you are encouraged to liaise with other local Trades Council and the regional TUC.

3. Job Insecurity.

The TUC is launching a survey on job insecurity. Please find attached a leaflet promoting the survey. We would be very grateful if you could promote the survey and encourage responses amongst your networks. The TUC is particularly interested in responses from zero hours contract workers, agency workers, and those in temporary work. But we are also keen to hear from other workers who face problems of short hours working, job insecurity and / or low pay. We will use the findings from the survey as part of our campaign for a better deal for people at work. The survey will go live at http://www.tuc.org.uk/jobinsecurity on 2 May 2014 and will close on 20 June 2014.

Sat 5th April. Message from Dave Green and Community Action and Support Group: With regards to the Bedroom Tax stall and protest at the Cobblers Last this Saturday 5th April, some of the main organisers are, or have been, seriously ill and won’t be able to set up or attend. If anyone or group is planning any activity around the Bedroom Tax then please let others know – otherwise the activity planned will probably be in a week or two (with notification).

Monday 14th April Northampton Trade Union Council is Monday at 7.00 pm at the Old Black Lion. Agenda out soon.

Monday 14th April Left Unity branch meeting (details tbc). LU are starting a campaign called ‘Books with Benefits’ – collecting books to give away at the job centre and food banks. You can donate to LU members.

Workers Memorial Day 2014 – Survey of EU Election candidates

You will be aware that the present European Commission have put a moratorium on any new regulations on a range of workers rights and are actively considering reducing rights in some areas, Votes in the European Parliament to protect workers have been mixed and it is clear that a considerable

number of MEPs support the Commissions deregulatory agenda. The TUC has drafted a survey proforma that you might want to consider issuing to all candidates in forthcoming elections. It can be adapted to meet any local concerns. It will be publicised

Barnet Unison: As reported before Barnet Unison is under attack but they are still in the UNISON office holding on by their finger tips. Barnet Council has removed backfill Facility Time for Barnet UNISON as of 1 April 2014 and replaced Facility Time with ‘Ad Hoc’ requests for time off for Trade Union duties but in fact there is an ongoing dispute about whether even this is granted.

5th April 10.30 am: Community Action and Support group stall at Cobblers Last statue Abington St to advertise their activities and opposition against Bedroom Tax and work advice sessions. Anyone else interested is welcome to come along with material/placards etc opposed to the Bedroom Tax – but not paper sellers. Leaflets: Rights At Work, Bedroom Tax

Sunday 13th April Rd Rope Walk Holdenby : Moderate 5-6 mile walk from Holdenby with fine views. King Charles1 was held prisoner at Holdenby House at the end of the English Civil War in some luxury and with 400 servants! If you are interested in joining these walks or want to know more ring 01604 702632 or go to http://northampton-redrope-walking-group.org.uk

Monday 14th April: Northampton Trades Council meeting. Details tbc.

Saturday 26th April a free Multicultural Festival will take over the Market Square in Northampton. A one day celebration of all the different cultures that make Northampton such a vibrant town. There will be live music, performance, dancing and singing and a wide range of food and craft stalls. The action then shifts to the Deco Theatre for an evening of music, fashion and performance in aid of the Mayor’s Charity the Sharing

and Caring Trust. Tickets are only £10 and that includes a free buffet. Tickets are available from me here at NVC or by contacting Zimwomen at zimwomennorthampton@ymail.com

Monday 28 April Reclaim Our NHS at 7pm at the Old Black Lion. Anyone who wishes to read a short report of the last meeting, who hasn’t seen it yet, please contact Ron Mendel who can forward it.

Monday 31st March 2014 5.30pm to 7.30pm The Better Care Fund Workshop. Kettering Conference Centre Thurston Drive, Kettering NN15 6PB. An opportunity to find out about the Better Care Fund and what it means to the people of Northamptonshire. The speaker will be

Jo Apea – Health Partnerships Programme Leader at Northamptonshire County Council. Come along and have your say. If you would like to attend please contact:- Healthwatch Northamptonshire On 01604 893636 and enquiries@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co

I am not repeating the details of all the events on previous lists so please remind yourselves of those by looking back.

Events

8th March Diggers Festival. Details in previous newsletters, but an urgent change of evening venue has come through:

Due to circumstances outside of our control the Diggers Festival evening event will no longer be taking place at Gleneagles Social Club. The event is now continuing direct after the ‘fringe’ from 7:30pm in the Horseshoe Inn, 36 Sheep Street, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 1BS. If you are driving there is plenty of free car parking in the town

centre nearby (please note – during the afternoon the Morrisons carpark is only free for 3 hours – otherwise I think you could be charged). If you have any concerns or enquiries please do not hesitate to contact me on 07958 639 692.

There will be plenty of real ale and its a great live music venue in Wellingborough and I would like to say a big thank you to Debbie and Nick at the Horseshoe for their support.

8th March International Women’s Day – see below for two useful links.

10th March 7.00 pm NTUC Meeting Old Black Lion. Agenda and Mins have been sent out by John. Please see below for summary of interesting report from Unite about NGH and cuts to the out of hours pathology service payments.

16th March Red Rope Walk: The next Northampton Red Rope walk takes place on Sunday 16th March. Meet at 10 a.m. outside the Church of St Michael & All Angels, Creaton. (G.R. 706 718—Post Code for shop/Post Office near the church is NN6 8NA) A varied walk with sweeping panoramic views at times, via Hollowell and Cottesbrooke. Please e-mail Roger Rees if you are going to join us on this walk. Details of this walk and Red Rope Poster March. The Northampton Red Rope group can be contacted via the website at: http://northampton-redrope-walking-group.org.uk/

7 and 8 April Searchlight Conference. The University of Northampton’s School of Social Sciences will be playing host to a conference to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the anti-fascist Searchlight group. Searchlight, formed as an occasional newspaper and later anti-fascist press agency and from 1975 a regular magazine, has been at the forefront of the anti-fascist movement for half a century. For details and registration please contact daniel.jones@northampton.ac.uk

Reports/Campaigns/Links

Out of Hours Cut to Pathology provision at NGH – Urgent. Unite has sent us a report of this dangerous cut and threat to staff pay.Please take a look. Letters to the hospital and paper would be welcome. I produce a summary here as can’t get it to link atm.

NGH management have terminated the NGH Pathology Composite Agreement 2002 which linked the development of the Pathology 24/7 availability of diagnostic laboratory tests

80% – meaning a reduction of up to a third of members pay, apart from the panic reduction of the NGH pay bill due to government cuts to the so called “ring fenced” NHS budget.

Their declaration of “wanting to take the cost out” of Pathology OOH is both unrealistic and irresponsible by NGH management and, if implemented, will lead to the collapse of a service providing 24/7 blood tests for NGH patients. It is likely that the current situation will end with industrial action by the Pathology blood test staff.

Collapse of NHS 24/7 blood test provision has occurred in other parts of the country when cost saving initiatives have been imposed by NHS management. This resulted in high

cost locum staff having to be employed at agency rates which are far in excess of NHS rates.

It is strange then that NGH are prepared to employ locum medical staff in NGH A/E for £1500 – a night – yet seem to begrudge highly qualified, in house, diagnostic support staff £7500- per year – to provide this increasingly vital service on a 24/7 basis including every night, weekend, bank holiday. NorthantsUNITE Health Sector Branch fully support the NGH Pathology membership and condemn NGH management for their incompetent management of this situation.

Hospital Closure Clause: On Tuesday, the government could get free rein to close hospitals across the country. But, MPs will now have a chance to vote on an amendment which would scrap the hospital closure clause. Can you contact your MP to ask them to vote for this crucial solution? Please go to list of petitions and pick one on closures to email your MP. http://www.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns

by the Cobbler’s Last to get petitions signed and to inform people of the implications of the Budget: Saturdays 1st, 8th and 15th Feb 11am to 12 noon. If you can help out please contact Ron or Pat asap.

There will be placard making sessions – painting slogans, catch phrases and images on to paper (material provided) at Dostiyo between 6.45 and 7.30pm on Tuesdays 4th, 11th and 17th. If you wish to go along please let Anjona know.

NBC are looking to shave 365k off of the staffing bill (overall shortfall 2m) – GMB and Unison are currently in negotiation. There is a public meeting on 30th Jan at the Guildhall – registration from 6.15pm. Budget details and link to consultation which finishes 31st Jan athttp://www.northampton.gov.uk/budget2014

Event List

2nd Feb Sunday Stand Up For the NHS Comedy fund raising event. Includes

union pay claim. Pickets will be set up outside Park and Avenue Campuses, starting at 8am. Then on 10 February UCU will be holding a two hour strike beginning at 9am. Pickets will be set up outside both campuses from 8 to 9 am, and then UCU members will join students at the Student Union for a teach-in co-sponsored by the Student Union and UCU.

The following proposal will be put: In the light of NTUC’s financial year now running from January, Rule 8a to be amended to read ‘The Annual Meeting of the Council shall take place in January from 2015 onwards. Proposed by Bob Ansell, seconded by Ron Mendel.

Please come along or make sure someone from your union can attend. Nominations are invited for all posts as listed in the rules. If you are having your AGM soon, please remember to elect NTUC reps. The number you are allowed is also in the rules.

Work is ongoing for our Vision For Northampton, but we really need more unions and organisations to get their ideas to us asap. Contact Sarah for details/help etc.

14th Feb: 1 Billion Rising for Justice. Northampton Women’s Forum will be on the Market Square from 10.30 until 2.30 and circling round it and singing and dancing at 12.30. If you need any further details contact Dawn Thomas on 01604 250721 or email dawn.thomas@nricc.com. Please circulate and display Billion Rising Poster as widely as possible.

Other Issues

TUC Conferences: The TUC LGBT national conference takes place on June 26/27th at Congress house and TUC’s can elect an Observer with speaking but no voting right’s – closing date 2nd May 12:30 at the latest. Similarly Black Workers’ conference is 11/12th April, deadline 7th March and Disabled Workers’ 28/29th May, deadline 13th April. Anyone interested, or who has a union member who might being interested in attending these events please contact Ron. Delegates must be a member of a union affiliated to NTUC.

Events

19th Jan Sunday: First Red Rope walk of the year. Please see previous newsletter for details.

21st Jan NCC Budget Cuts Consultation Meeting to Oppose Cuts. 7pm at the Dostiyo Centre 52 Dunster Street, Northampton. Nearest easy parking at St Michaels car park unless you have a blue badge. Please advise me and/or Ron if you are able to attend or invite others if you think that they can contribute to discussions and any decisions. I will pass on attendance emails to the organiser. Analysis of Equality Impact Assessments are here: EqIA analysis Summary 2013 and EqIAs 2013.

from January, Rule 8a to be amended to read ‘The Annual Meeting of the Council shall take place in January from 2015 onwards. Proposed by Bob Ansell, seconded by Ron Mendel.

Please come along or make sure someone from your union can attend. Nominations are invited for all posts as listed in the rules. If you are having your AGM soon, please remember to elect NTUC reps. The number you are allowed is also in the rules.

Work is ongoing for our Vision For Northampton, but we really need more unions and organisations to get their ideas to us asap. Contact Sarah for details/help etc.

8th March Diggers’ Festival Wellingborough. Various events are taking place and there will be a display in the local museum from 27th Feb. DiggerFestival‘EarlyBird’ticketsare NOWONSALE for the evening event! All Fringe events are free – but it would be great if you could let organisers know if you have an interest in attending the library event so that they can keep the library informed of numbers.’Early Bird’ tickets for the evening are available until24thJanuary 2014 at a price of £8 or £7 concessions. Tickets are available direct from Mike Matthews with a S.A.E. 38 Curtis Mews WELLINGBOROUGH Northamptonshire NN8 5PG. Cheques should be payable to Independent Socialists of Wellingborough.

Information and requests for help

Petition Against Government Cuts to Daventry District Council

The Government has decided to cut funding to Daventry District Council by 13.9%, despite the fact that the national average is a cut of only 2.9%. This cut is on top of a cut of nearly 8% last year.

This impact of this dangerous cut will be a loss of services as well as a possible increase in business rates or council tax. Daventry deserves better than to suffer a further loss of services and attacks on local residents and businesses.

Please click on the link below and add your name to the petition opposing the cut to Daventry District Council,

You might be interested in the newsletter for the ‘One Fund For All‘ newsletter produced in Chesterfield/Derby. The fund is to support the unemployed with centres/resources etc and there are quite a few around the country. Useful info on a range of activities and issues.

Last newsletter before Xmas! I will try to get a calendar out over the holiday – there are several dates in here so please have a good look through. I hope you all get at least some break over the Xmas period.

Trades Council Report

Different unions and organisations are now being asked to discuss and come up with some ideas for the Vision For Northampton, so you or your union/organisation may be contacted in the near future with suggestions on how to go about this. Please could you put the item on your branch or meeting agenda.

* Merging of police and Fire & Rescue – staff implications (could reduce number of staff, and/or pay and terms and conditions) and subsequent implications for quality of service

* Voluntary Sector Funding reduction – charities and voluntary groups could close or reduce their activities

* Social Services staffing reduction (MAP Team) – reduce back office staff, and impact on placements. This could be time taken to allocate care worker or move someone into a care home. Also more placements could be made inappropriately. eg. more “15 minutes of personal care”

LGSS Proposals – reduce back office staff for HR, Finance and IT departments which are already stretched. Impact on other departments (eg social services) reliant on these back office functions

* Charging for Social Care – increasing charges for placements and transport, especially for non-statutory and low level needs – will this be affordable for users?!

Could everyone looks at the detail of the draft budget to identify what are the concerns which are worth protesting about, over the Xmas and New Year period with a view to having a meeting early Jan? Alternatively, if any campaign groups wish to lead

a campaign perhaps contact NTUC who will can circulate an invite on your behalf to our contact list?

Also if you require further detail about any of the proposals then it will be worth going along to the various Scrutiny meetings on different topics – further information and dates of meetings here: Scrutiny – draft budget

Useful links and other resources and events:

Left Unity: Meeting tonight at Old Black Lion at 7 for members and open for non-members 8pm. Next meetings January 8th and 22nd. These will also be for party members in the first hour, second hour open to non-members.

One billion and rising global day of action against violence against women. The Northampton Borough Women’s Forum has set up a working group to organise an event on February 14th. They are looking at having an event at lunch time in the Market Square. Please note the date in your diary. More info to come.

People’s Assembly: Action Plan of events including support for students, Women’s Assembly, Budget events and then May Day etc.

Liverpool Rd (off Deansgate), move off from 12.30, Rally Whitworth Park, Moss Side 2 to 4 approx. Unison is running a coach picking up from Northampton and Kettering with funding from the NTUC and the Regional TUC. Unison members wishing to book should contact Natalie Chadwick mob 07432688376 or email n.chadwick@unison.co.uk. Everyone else should contact Ron email Ron.Mendel@northampton.ac.uk or phone 07914502895. Please book asap if you intend to go. This is a really important demo.

Other events

13th to 15th Sept BookQfest: Launch 7pm on Friday 13th September organised by the Northampton Gay Book Group and BookQfest team. There will be an array of activities to enjoy across the whole weekend from readings and workshops to debates and book signings. For a full programme of what’s on please visit http://booqfest.webs.com/, and to book FREE places at any of the events contact the R&D Box Office. See booQfest_2013

Thursday 19th Sept: Probation Officers from NAPO will be taking their campaign against the tendering out of their services to the public over lunchtime. Details tba – I will send them round as soon as I can.

Sunday 22nd Sept Red Rope next walk. Lovely morning walk from Weedon, along the canal, across pastures to Church Stowe and back. Only 4.5 miles and possibility of lunch at the Crossroads pub. For details see Weedon Bec 22nd Sept 2013 2

Thursday 26th Sept: Demonstration at Northamptonshire County Council Full Council Meeting over Changes to Terms and Conditions

Staff at the County Council have been forced on to inferior terms and conditions, and as from September onwards will not be paid for the first 3 days of sickness absence. This is a further cut following the Pay and Benefits

Hi, just a short newsletter for want of time. Illustrations of the NTUC marquee at the Umbrella Fair thanks to Paul Croft. Please let me know of any events you want publicised. Try to keep info to the minimum, but by all means provide links. I will try to get some TUC and other useful links out when I can. Don’t forget our useful links and help pages!

6th Sept Friday 11.30 to 2pm: Disabled People against Cuts (DPAC) and supporters will be taking part in a demonstration at Atos Healthcare, Gladstone Rd Business Centre, Heathfield Way off Gladstone Rd, Dallington, Northampton,

19th September: provisional date for NTUC meeting – could delegates please let John Buckell know if that’s a good date for them or not.

Sunday 29th Sept: Manchester Demonstration against Tory policy on the NHS. Assemble from 11 Liverpool Rd (off Deansgate), move off from 12.30, Rally Whitworth Park, Moss Side 2 to 4 approx. Unison is running a coach picking up from Northampton and Kettering with funding from the NTUC and the Regional TUC. Unison members wishing to book should contact Natalie Chadwick mob 07432688376 or email n.chadwick@unison.co.uk. Everyone else should contact Ron email Ron.Mendel@northampton.ac.uk or phone 07914502895.